Mean well power supply and driver catalog B

Constant Current LED Drivers

When looking for a brand to trust, look no further than Mean Well. With a less than .02% failure rate in 2016, Mean Well has continued to make some of the most reliable power supplies and LED drivers in the world. They also back their products with multi-year warranties which is one way to know they are the real deal.

The options can be overwhelming which is why we put this post together as a quick Mean Well selection guide. Take a look at all the options and the highlighted features of each product to see which will fit best for your project.

As you may know, LEDs need constant current to run. When building LED systems on your own it is crucial to remember an LED driver that drives the LEDs at this constant current. Mean Well manufacturers LED drivers for AC or DC input. Like their power supplies, the constant current drivers are loaded with safety regulations and are built to last.

AC/DC LED Drivers

AC to DC switching LED drivers have it all as they switch your line voltage to a constant DC current, suitable for high power LEDs. Mean Well’s driver catalog comes with a variety of options (dimming, multi-output, etc.) so you can find just what you’re looking for. The units are hardwired into line voltage. When choosing an AC to DC LED driver just make sure the output current is safe for your LED and that your LED voltage load (total Vf of the system) is within the operating DC voltage range of the driver. You can read here to find out how AC to DC drivers can be better for large, general lighting applications.

When designing the LED system, the builder gets to decide the lights features. One key feature is to offer dimming or not. LED drivers of all kinds are either made to be dimmable or made to be non-dimmable. Non-Dimming drivers are fairly straight forward whereas dimming drivers may have different dimming functions that you need to keep track of.

Non-Dimming LED Drivers

The APC and LPC will look very similar as they mirror their constant voltage counterparts (APV and LPV). The APC handles lower loads whereas the LPC is a larger driver that can handle more LEDs at a time.

To choose the correct output:

1. Decide the ideal/safe drive current for your LEDs.
2. Add up the total voltage of the LEDs you will be running in series.
3. Select the driver from the table that has the current output and DC voltage range you need!

Dimming LED Drivers

The dimmable drivers come in a few different models offering alternate kinds of dimming. Mean Well has a great 3-in-1 dimming function on many of their dimmable drivers that can be controlled via 0-10V or PWM signal. The PCD is the exception that can be dimmed with AC, phase cut dimmers.

HLG-C – Metal Case Premium Constant Current Driver

The HLG-C is the Holy Grail of Mean Well LED drivers. The AC/DC LED drivers, housed in aluminum, range in power from 60 to 320 Watts! They output strictly constant current ranging from 350mA all the way up to 3500mA! With a leading 7-year warranty, full safety and regulatory agency approvals and an IP65-67 rating, these LED drivers are the most robust and reliable solution for driving high-intensity LEDs.

The biggest selling points for the HLG-C are first, how much it can handle. The 320 Watt model that can drive up to 3500mA is much more robust than anything we have ever offered. Secondly, the metal casing really adds to the durability. Mean Well plastic case models are very reliable but metal casing helps improve on durability and temperature control making for a very efficient and reliable LED power source.

The Mean Well HLG family is typically used in grow lighting, pendants and recessed lighting. The HLG-C offers three different variations to the power supply. All three have their own specialties and unique features that help solve complications for your application:

A Type – Adjustable Current and Voltage

The HLG-C A type are IP65 rated and include two on-board potentiometers that can adjust the output voltage and current. The potentiometers are found under the two black caps on the face of the power supply. The DC Voltage range can be adjusted ±10% whereas the current output can be adjusted from around 50%-100% of the current rating.

B Type – 3-in-1 Dimming

The B type HLG-C offers Mean Well’s dimming that can be controlled via 0-10V, 10V PWM Signal or Resistance.

D Type – Timer Dimming

Mean Well offers this D model that you can specially request from us. This model allows for the driver to be programmed, allowing for several different light outputs depending on the time of day.

PCD – AC Dimmable Driver

Mean Well designed the PCD as a hardwired driver that could be controlled using common residential dimming setups. This low profile driver can fit within a custom built fixture and any of the compatible dimmers listed on the data sheet.

• Input Voltage: 115-230VAC
• Output Current: 350mA-1400mA
• Fully Isolated IP42 Case
• Wattage: 16 and 25 Watt models
• Dimming: AC phase-cut dimming, leading and trailing edge TRIAC dimming

Mean Well IDLC Driver with PFC

Mean Well’s IDLC is a 45-watt AC/DC LED driver with a constant current output and flicker free design. The highly efficient driver has push-terminal connections and a fanless design that can easily be hidden. The Driver offers 2-in-1 dimming, working with both 0-10V and PWM dimmers.

• Input Power: 90-295VAC
• Output Current: 350mA-1400mA
• Wattage: 45W
• IP20 Isolated Case
• Dimming: 2-in-1 PWM or 0-10V

LCM-U – Multi-Output LED Driver

Mean Well designed a pretty awesome LED driver that allows the user to switch the output current. The AC/DC driver has a series of switches (dip switch) that can be switched around to output different constant current levels. This is a way to adjust the total brightness of your LED system and is great for testing LEDs and brightness. The driver also uses the 3-in-1 dimming function for use with PWM, 0-10V or resistance.

• Input Power: 90-132VAC
• Output Current: 350-1400mA
• Casing: IP20 Isolated case
• Wattage: 40 and 60 Watts
• Dimming: PWM, 0-10V or Resistance

Dual Mode Power Supplies: CC + CV

We have seen the difference between constant current and constant voltage power sources, along with Mean Well’s large offering for both kinds. Now it is time to tell you that Mean Well manufacturers a few models that posses both constant voltage and constant current characteristics.

During initial startup, the power supplies operate in constant voltage mode, suitable for lights with internal drivers or in-series resistors (i.e. LED strip lights). Once output current requirement exceeds rated current of the power supply and the voltage reaches the constant current region, the unit will output constant current and be able to directly drive LEDs.

These dual output power supplies are mainly used for constant voltage, as there are constant current models available if that is what you need. Constant current modes are used in many LED systems, however, and this can definitely add a lot of flexibility to your LED set up.

HLG: Aluminum IP65-67 CC+CV LED power supply

Mean Well’s HLG dual output mode power supply is the same as the HLG-C, but offers constant voltage outputs. The HLG is housed in a quality aluminum casing that is IP65/IP67 rated. This is the flagship constant voltage power source from Mean Well. It takes 90~305VAC input and comes in models ranging from 40 to 600 watts with output voltages rated at 12-54VDC.

Each model comes in a select wattage and voltage. The voltage output is important when you have an LED system needing a certain DC voltage. Select the voltage you need and you are good to go. 

In the above graph you can see that there is a ‘constant current region’. This means that if you have LEDs operating within this range the power supply can directly drive these LEDs. Just make sure you look at the current rating of the power supply as some of them can be high, too high for some LEDs.

Like the HLG-C the Mean Well HLG has 3 different types that we offer:

Blank Type – This model has no special features, just offers the HLG with input and output cables.

A Type – This model has two internal potentiometers where you can slightly change output voltage and can also change output current from 50-100%.

B Type – This model offers 3-in-1 dimming. There are output and input connections along with dimming wires that can help adjust brightness of LED lights with resistance, PWM or 0-10V Dimming systems.

Mean Well NPF: Constant Voltage Power Supply with Constant Current Mode

The Mean Well NPF-D series is another AC/DC LED switching power supply that offers dimming as well as a dual output function. Housed in an IP67 plastic rectangular case, these drivers are built with PFC and qualify for Isolation Class II power supply no F.G.

The NPF works in constant voltage mode, outputting the voltage marked on each model. However, like the HLG, the NPF has a constant current region (i.e. 7.2-12VDEC for NPF-40D-12) that will allow the driver to directly drive high power LEDs at the constant current listed.

To control the output, the NPF features 3-in-1 dimming: 0~10V, 10V PWM and resistance. The NPF is IP67 rated for use in damp and wet locations. There are also mounting holes on each side for easy mounting wherever you need. This flexibility helps greatly in designing LED lighting systems and the NPF comes with a 5-year warranty that gives the end-user a reliable driver that is built to last.

DC/DC Constant Current Drivers

Mean Well offers some awesome low voltage LED drivers with multiple constant current output options. These DC to DC converters are super compact, making them great for small lamps, flashlights, or any space limited application. Rather than take AC line voltage, they take a low DC voltage, typically around 9-36VDC and output a constant current to your high-power LEDs.

DC drivers are ideal when you are powering with a battery or are looking to build a light fixture that can have a constant voltage input power. With a DC driver built within a light circuit, the light could work with 12 volts and run properly as the Mean Well DC driver regulates the current.

Step-Down Drivers

Step-Down LED drivers, also referred to as Buck Drivers, are ideal for applications when the source voltage is greater than the LED voltage. Take for example if you are trying to run a 3v LED from a standard car battery which fluctuates around 12 volts. Buck LED drivers offer the highest efficiency out of LED drivers and typically come in the smallest footprints. Mean Well has two types of DC step down drivers, the LDD-L and LDD-H.

Both drivers offer remote PWM dimming and ON/OFF functions. They come in three styles for whatever connections needed: Wired, Pinned, and SMD style. They both pretty much operate the same with a high efficiency of 97%.  The minor difference is the LDD-H can handle more LEDs at once than the LDD-L. See their specs below.

Mean Well LDD-L

• Input Voltage: 6~36VDC
• Output Current: 300-1500mA
• PWM Dimming

Mean Well LDD-H

• 9~56VDC
• Output Current: 300-1500mA
• PWM Dimming

Buck-Boost LED Driver

Mean Well also offers the low voltage LDB-L LED driver featuring buck-boost output mode. This means that the driver can work within the circuit whether the LED voltage is slightly higher or slightly lower than the input voltage. This is ideal in applications using a Li-Ion battery where the battery might drain and input less voltage than when fully charged. The LDB-L would still be able to run the LED until it dropped below the input threshold of the driver.

The LDB-L offers PWM dimming and remote on/off function like the buck drivers but only comes in a Pin and Wired style, no surface mount device style.

• Input Voltage: 9~36VDC
• Output Current: 300mA-600mA
• 91% Efficiency
• PWM Dimming

Step-Up Drivers

Step-Up LED drivers, also referred to as boost drivers, can handle the high voltages required by running multiple LEDs in series. The boost drivers, as you might assume, can create these voltages even if the source voltage is below what is needed for the LED lights. Mean Well’s LDH step-up driver can drive the LEDs in series while keeping them at a steady current and brightness.

The LDH can handle up to 45 Watts of LEDs that can be controlled via PWM signal. The LDH can be purchased in a pinned or wired style. There is an A and B series that varies the input and output voltage. The A series handles lower input voltages whereas the B series handles slightly higher DC voltage.

• Input: A series: 9-18VDC B Series: 18-32VDC
• Output Current: 350-1050mA
• PWM Dimming
• 95% Efficiency

Mean Well Trouble Shooting and Support

With a wide range of new products and variations, we expect that you will have more questions. As I said earlier, we have a full team of tech and sales associates that are well trained on Mean Well products and would be happy to guide you to the one for your lighting setup. What’s even better is you can call, order, and it will be on the way to you all within a day. Let us be your helpful and speedy Mean Well LED power solutions provider.


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